Highlights of Europe

Why Go?

Explore castles, cathedrals, and cozy little cobblestone streets. Hear at least six different languages (more if you count English accents). Leave the highlighter at college and explore the highlights of Europe with us. See what we did there?

What are the top highlights?

Visit 6 countries and 8 cities in Europe

Cruise the canals of Amsterdam and Venice

Test your yodeling skills in the pristine Swiss Alps

Indulge in Italian food and wine while taking in the Tuscan countryside

Meet Ben and Abbey in London, AKA Big Ben and Westminster Abbey

Taste savory and sweet crepes in the capital of culinary creations

Experience beachside nightclubs in Barcelona

Your trip includes

Round-trip flights & airport transfers

Multilingual Tour Director & local guides

Private motorcoach

Internal flights & trains

22 nights in hand-picked accommodations

Welcome Mixer with appetizers & drinks

Daily breakfast & three-course Farewell Dinner

Metro passes in each major city

Entrance to select attractions

Accommodations

You’ll stay at accommodations hand-picked by our team of local experts, in rooms only for EF Ultimate Break travelers. Each property is located in a safe, convenient area. You’ll receive your exact accommodations 30 days before your trip departs.

Flights

Admit it, booking flights is the worst. Here's why you should let us do it for you:

Flight costs are included in your monthly payment plan, so you can pay over time

Airport transfers are included, so we’ll be waiting, sign in hand

Flights are booked with major airlines

24/7 support no matter what time zone you’re in

One checked bag included on most flights

Option to make changes to your trip up to 99 days before departure

Booking with a friend? Let us know and we’ll do our best to make sure you’re on the same flight. Still want to book your own flights? That’s cool, simply select ‘No flights included’ instead of your departure city in the ‘Flights from’ dropdown.

Itinerary

Day 1: Overnight Flight

Day 2: Arrive in London

Welcome to London! Home of the band Queen (and you know, the actual Queen). Visit grand palaces, famous parks, and local hotspots of the Royal Family, George Orwell, Dylan Thomas, Jimi Hendricks, Charles Dickens, and many more.

Today's Highlights:

Meet an EF representative at the airport.

Check in at your accommodations.

Receive the latest schedule from your Tour Director.

Take a quick walk around your area with your Tour Director.

See River Thames, Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, and Covent Garden.

In the evening, it's time for your Welcome Mixer. Enjoy appetizers and drinks with your new friends and travelers. Afterwards, you’re free to take the party elsewhere!

Day 3: Explore London

Hit the highlights of London with a local guide giving you all the inside info. Get ready to see royal palaces, down a pint of room-temperature beer (it’s how the locals drink it), and walk like a Beatle—from the band. Not a bug.

Today's Highlights:

Wave hello to Big Ben, the bell inside the clock tower.

Go to Westminster Abbey, where William and Kate, and decades of royals have been wed.

Experience a royal ritual during the Changing of the Guards.

Walk around and explore the city.

Free Time SuggestionsBe a Beatle: Head to Abbey Road and walk what’s probably the world’s most famous crosswalk. This storied spot is a must-see for even the most casual Beatles fan.Tower of London: Feel like a royal in the historic castle and see the legendary Crown Jewels, just don’t play dress up with them.

London Eye & River Cruise(extra cost)

See London properly: from air and sea. Fly high on the London Eye: Europe’s tallest Ferris wheel, providing panoramic views of all the iconic landmarks. Then, sail down the River Thames with tea & crumpets included.

**Please now you must add this excursion on at least 2 weeks before departure**

Day 4: Enjoy a Free Day in London

Take the day to explore. Walk through some of the many royal gardens, shop on Oxford Street, go for high tea, or explore the city by foot. At 607 square miles, the city is an easy place to get your 10,000 steps in.

Today's Highlights:

Walk the cobblestone streets of London.

Explore Piccadilly Circus. You won’t find clowns and trapeze artists here. Just shopping and all the entertainment your heart desires.

Sip on a cup of English Breakfast at high tea—don’t forget, pinky’s up!

Walk the grounds of one of the leading and oldest universities in the world (Oxford Excursion).

Free Time SuggestionsThe Eye: London’s, not yours. See the city from 443 feet high on the world’s tallest Ferris wheel. To avoid incredibly long lines, book your ticket ahead of time. Stand in the capsule and experience a panoramic view on the Millennium Wheel.Boleyn Alley: Where flowers bloom, vegetables grow, and a young girl finds a key to… woops, wrong garden. Seek out bargains at this bustling covered market full of souvenirs, clothes, crafts, and much more.

Day 5: Travel to Amsterdam

Get all the fake British accents out of your system, you’re headed to Amsterdam. There’s so much to love, from the canals to Van Gogh to the legendary, laid-back attitude. Home of the famous Red Light District and a city that consists of more bikes than people, Amsterdam is one-of-a-kind. Seriously, how many cities do you know of with floating houses and hot waffles with caramel served anytime of the day? Today, you’ll experience the unique character of this city, guided by a local expert.

Today's Highlights:

Travel by train to Amsterdam.

Meet your local guide for an in-depth tour of the city, and walk along a few of Amsterdam’s 165 canals.

Stroll through the Jordaan Neighborhood. Nestled in central Amsterdam, this upscale area is filled with art galleries, patio restaurants, cafes, and music. Yeah, sounds pretty great.

Tour Nieuwmarkt, a lively city square, market, and nightlife hotspot. Talk about a triple-threat.

Stop in the Red Light District, because no trip to Amsterdam would be complete without visiting this iconic area known for sex shops, coffee houses, and everything in between.

Day 6: Enjoy a Free Day in Amsterdam + Optional Bike Tour

By now, you’ve probably realized Amsterdam is not your average city. It’s a multicultural, coffee-loving place, home to really friendly (and tall) people. Oh, and there’s an entire houseboat filled with stray cats called Poezenboot, because what city doesn’t have one? Answer: the rest of them. Spend the day exploring on your own, or, join an optional bike tour of the nearby countryside.

Today's Highlights:

Make your way to Dam Square, the central public square of Amsterdam, and enjoy the happy, laid-back local attitude. We’re sure the coffee shops have nothing to do with that...

Take a step back from the hustle and bustle of the streets and canals to lounge in Museumplein, an urban green space located near some notable museums.

See how Amsterdam does nightlife with a visit to Leidseplein Square, an energetic area filled with bars, restaurants, and street performers.

Free Time SuggestionsBeer Me a Beer: Amstel and Heineken are rooted here in Amsterdam. Check out the Heineken Experience for a magical, behind-the-scenes look at one of the world's largest beer companies.Say Cheese: Get a taste for Dutch culture at the Amsterdam Cheese Museum. Yes. A museum entirely dedicated to the history of cheese making, complete with samples of local specialties. And did we mention you get to dress up like a traditional Dutch cheese farmer? We won’t blame you if you spend the entire day here.

Dutch Countryside Bike Tour(extra cost)

Bike like a local into the stunning Dutch countryside. Ride through rural landscapes past picturesque windmills and 17th century villages, then enjoy pancakes and a drink in the quaint Waterland region by the sea.

Day 7: Enjoy a Free Day in Amsterdam

Spend the day exploring on your own and get a feel for the city’s history and culture. Kick back at a canal-side restaurant, wander across a couple dozen bridges, and wonder why this city is called “The Venice of the East” when Amsterdam actually has more canals than the Italian city. Does that make Venice “The Amsterdam of the West”? Make it happen. Spread the word. While you’re exploring, sample the famous Hollandse Nieuwe (which is essentially pickled fish).

Today's Highlights:

Hit the shops on De Negen Straatjes (The Nine Streets), the quaint cobblestone streets with everything from vintage, to boutique, to designer. If you’ve slacked on souvenirs, today is the day.

Stuff yourself with art, fashion, crafts, and food from every corner of the globe in De Hallen. Time spent in this industrial building turned cultural center is time well spent, especially when you have a snack (or two) in hand.

Chill out in one of the city’s lush green spaces. Rembrandtpark and Vondelpark are two of our favorite parks, perfect for a lazy afternoon.

Free Time SuggestionsThe Anne Frank House: Now that your Tuk Tuk tour gave you a peek into Anne Frank’s life , take a little time on your own to see the very same house and annex, now a museum, that sheltered her and her brave family during the Holocaust. Heads up, tickets for this must be purchased a couple of months in advance, so plan ahead!Dutch Bros: Learn about the history of the city you’ve fallen in love with at the Rijksmuseum – a Dutch national museum dedicated to all things Amsterdam.

Day 8: Travel to Paris

Next stop: Paris. Visit grand palaces, royal chateau’s, and famous museums by day, and then stroll through the romantically-lit city by night. After trying to read Mona Lisa’s expression and drooling over jaw-dropping sites, you’ll definitely have all the feels for the City of Love. (Cue romantic French café music).

Today's Highlights:

Say goodbye to Amsterdam and hop on your private motorcoach to Paris.

Take a quick walk of the area with your Tour Director and your new BFF’s, AKA, your group.

Hop on an evening Seine cruise and float past Notre Dame Cathedral. (Keep a lookout for the Hunchback.)

Stand in awe in front of the Eiffel Tower as the lights sparkle against the night. Pro tip: this happens every hour on the hour.

Day 9: Tour de Paris + Optional Versailles Excursion

Explore the city of love, light, and haute couture with a local guide. If you come across a Statue of Liberty, don’t be alarmed—the champagne hasn’t gone to your head, Paris is actually home to multiple replicas, one of which faces her sister from another mister that stands in New York. Then, get into a royal state of mind on an optional excursion to Versailles, and ask the Hall of Mirrors who is the fairest of them all (it’s you, duh).

Today's Highlights:

Get the inside scoop on Parisian culture and try to understand why this high-end, fashion forward city likes to snack on snails.

Make the city your runway as you strut down a couple of the 6,100 streets, and hit up some well-known areas like Bastille, Montmarte, and Parc de Belleville.

Stand in awe of the Arc de Triomphe, which stands in honor of those who fought in the French Revolution.

Work your angles, and snap an obligatory picture with your finger atop the Louvre’s pyramid point.

Free Time SuggestionsFall in Louvre: Paris is home to some of the world’s most incredible art collections. Admire the Venus de Milo at the Louvre or check out modern art and the insides of a clock tower at Musee d’Orsay.C'est Magnifique!: Head to Montmartre, a neighborhood filled with street art, incredible views overlooking the city, and the famous Sacré Cœur Cathedral. Home to, and inspiration for artists like Picasso, van Gogh, Matisse, Dali, and Monet, this is the perfect place to take a stroll and admire a more authentic side of Paris.

Versailles(extra cost)

Walk through the landscaped gardens, and tour the living quarters of the famous over-the-top palace of Louis XIV. This is where French royalty reveled in their extravagant lifestyle in the decades before the Revolution.

Please note: This excursion must be booked at least 45 days prior to tour departure.

Day 10: Enjoy a Free Day in Paris

Enjoy a full day exploring Paris on your own (cue happy dance). Wander through art museums, try new foods like coq au vin (AKA chicken), or grab a baguette and a bottle of wine for a picnic at the Champ de Mars. Oh, Paris. How we love you.

Today's Highlights:

Relax on an open terrace, espresso in one hand and a croissant in the other. Yeah, this is the life.

Stand in awe among famous sites like Palais-Royal Gardens and Musee Rodin, and then realize your mouth’s been open for the last 15 minutes.

Shop along the rue Saint-Honoré and feel like one of the world’s rich and famous, whom you should keep an eye out for in this area, by the way.

Free Time SuggestionsGo Subterranean: Thanks to overflowing cemeteries in the late 1700s, the city’s dead were transferred to these dark, underground crypts. Sounds haunting, doesn’t it? Catch up with Parisian ancestors in The Catacombs of Paris. To avoid lines, purchase your ticket ahead of time. The 45-minute tour is also closed on Mondays and certain holidays.Edit Sober: Visit the café haunts of literary giants like Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce, and many others. Grab a coffee and a journal and you’ll fit right in.

Day 11: Travel to Lucerne

All aboard for a scenic train ride through the European countryside! Watch as rolling hills give way to majestic, snow-capped Alps. You're headed to Switzerland.

Today's Highlights:

Depart Paris via train in the morning.

Sit back and relax as you take in some of Europe's most dreamlike landscapes.

Day 12: Experience Switzerland + Take a Trip the Swiss Alps (Optional)

Today you’ll experience why people are flocking to Switzerland (and it’s not just for the chocolate and cheese). Walk the streets of historic Lucerne, and marvel at the snowy Swiss Alps in the distance.

Today's Highlights:

Walk the narrow streets and take in the incredible mountain scenery with your Tour Director.

See the one-of-a-kind Löwendenkmal, a surprisingly impressive and massive rock carving of a dying lion, carved to commemorate the Swiss Guards who were killed during the French Revolution.

Wander the maze-like, cobblestone streets of Old Town Lucerne.

Trip up the Swiss Alps(extra cost)

Take an amazing trip to the top of a mountain in the Swiss Alps. Cross Lake Lucerne by boat, then ride a cable car to the summit. Take in the incredible panoramic views of Lucerne, its pristine lake, and the majestic Alps.

Day 13: Travel to the Venice Region via Como

You're heading to the Venice Region, the renowned former naval power of Italy. Grab your walking shoes, a good map (like a really good map) and hit the narrow, winding, organized, yet maddeningly confusing streets. The one-of-a-kind canals have to be seen to be appreciated. Watch the gondolas, browse the shops, and eat gelato until you can't eat anymore.

Today's Highlights:

Trade in the Alps for some canals, but first, make a pit stop along Lake Como, one of the biggest, bluest, best-loved lakes in Italy.

Snap some scenic pics of Lake Como to kick off Italy’s debut on your Instagram.

Arrive in the Venice Region and prepare to get your gondola on, because canoes are so last season.

Explore the area with your Tour Director, and familiarize yourself with the whereabouts of some important spots. And yes, the nearest wine shop counts as an important spot.

Day 14: Tour Venice

Get ready to see Venice through the eyes of a local Italian. Your guide will show you canals, an extraordinary basilica, and a staircase shaped like a snail. It’s only your second day in Italy, so you definitely haven’t had enough pasta yet. Eat more pasta.

Today's Highlights:

Travel from mainland Venice to the island, catching sight of St. Mark's Basilica, plenty of gondolas, and the spectacular Venetian skyline.

See several historic churches and lose yourself in the narrow streets of Venice.

Follow the winding Grand Canal through the heart of Venice.

Play Marco polo from across the Rialto Bridge, the oldest bridge in the city that connects San Marco and San Polo.

Free Time Suggestions300 Years Young: Opened in 1720, Caffè Florian is the oldest café in the world. And while the venue may be old, their beliefs have always been ahead of their time. They were the only café to serve women during the 18th century. Nicely done, Florian.Book Worm: Check out Acqua Alta Library, a hidden bookstore where the books are piled from floor to ceiling, and kittens run around just waiting for some company.

Day 15: Travel to Tuscany Region via Ferrara

Board your private coach; you’re heading to Tuscany, the romantic hillside of Italy. Is that love in the air? Or just the smell of artisanal wines and cheeses? Either way, get excited.

Today's Highlights:

Kiss the canals goodbye (but not really…that would be weird and not very hygienic) and head to Tuscany.

Continue to let Italy turn the charm up to 11 with a stop in medieval Ferrara.

Arrive in Tuscany, and check in to your accommodation.

Take a brief walk of the area with your Tour Director and fall in love with the Tuscan way of life. Feel free to pinch yourself, but no, you’re not dreaming.

Day 16: Tour Florence

You’ve got a day in Florence, the compact capital of the Tuscany region known for its famous Renaissance artwork. Throw on some comfortable shoes and join a local guide for a walking tour of the city. By the end of it, you’ll be looking up how to live in Italy forever.

Today's Highlights:

Cross the Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge in Florence, home to many of Florence’s jewelers and art merchants. Ready to get some bling?

Stroll the Piazza della Signoria, home to the Uffizi Gallery and that famous naked guy (also known as Michelangelo’s David).

Visit the Duomo Cathedral. Return during your free time and challenge yourself to climb the 463 steps to the top for stunning views of the city.

Free Time SuggestionsGet Some Fresh Air: Loggia dei Lanzi is an open air sculpture museum, with a number of Renaissance statues. It’s beautiful, it’s in the open, and it’s free.Leather-bound Books: Florence is known for its plethora of leather goods, from belts and jewelry to purses and wallets. Maybe you can finally buy that leather jacket you’ve always wanted but have been too embarrassed to buy.

Day 17: Enjoy a Free Day in Tuscany Region + Cinque Terre (Optional)

Enjoy a full free day in Florence, or take an excursion to the Italian Riviera & Cinque Terre. Or flip a coin and let the coin decide what you do.

Today's Highlights:

Get in touch with your artsy side during your free day at the Uffizi museum. The Medici Family’s art collection makes up one of the best art museums in the world.

Go out on your own to stop and smell the flowers in the Boboli gardens. Keep an eye out for 16th century sculptures (you can stop and smell those, too, but it might attract strange looks).

Snap the perfect picture of Florence’s skyline after hiking up to San Miniato al Monte. Then reward yourself with some gelato.

Shop till you drop; the area between Ponte Vecchio and the Duomo is our favorite.

Italian Riviera & Cinque Terre(extra cost)

Note: This excursion is seasonal and only runs from May through September. Availability is subject to your tour’s departure date.

Day 18: Travel to Rome via Orvieto

Travel to Rome via Orvieto. Goodbye, Tuscan countryside. Hello, Rome, Italy’s capital city that is bursting at the seams with energy. Locals fill the streets, day and night, usually doing something that involves eating or drinking. And how can you blame them when pasta, pizza, gelato, coffee, and wine are everywhere you look? Rome is all big city/ancient ruins, served with a side of spaghetti.

Today's Highlights:

Board your private coach, bound for Rome.

Stop in Orvieto, a quaint Italian hill town that’s as fun to visit as it is to say in an Italian accent.

Marvel at the artistry of the facade of Orvieto’s stunning cathedral, built in 1290 (no, that’s not a typo—it’s really that old).

Arrive in Rome, surrounded by art, ruins, and 2.9 million people

Take a tour of the surrounding area with your Tour Director, stopping by some famous attractions, and more than few gelato shops.

Day 19: Tour Rome + Optional Pasta-Making Class

Tour the city of Rome with a local guide. Then, if you choose, complete your transformation to becoming a full Italian as you learn how to make authentic pasta by hand.

Today's Highlights:

Tour the city with a local guide who will show you why Rome is one of the most legendary cities in Europe.

See the ruins of several Roman temples, including the Temple of the Vestal Virgins.

Rub your belly in anticipation for the optional pasta-making class.

Taste of Italy Pasta-Making Class(extra cost)

When in Rome: cook pasta. Learn to craft the dough for homemade pasta, and enjoy a delicious meal prepared by your own hands. You’ll also get to taste local snacks and learn about Italian food traditions.

Day 20: Free Day + Optional Vatican City Excursion

Today you get to explore centuries worth of culinary perfection, unbelievable architecture, and local fashion on your own. And let it be said, Rome looks goooood for being 2,000 years old. (It must moisturize.) Shop, eat, drink, and talk like an Italian (with your hands) during your free day. Embrace the culture and indulge in carbs during your last day in the Eternal City. Plus, if you're up for it, join an optional excursion to the Vatican.

Today's Highlights:

Explore the bustling streets and famous sights while enjoying a cone of gelato.

Take your carb overload one step further—by making your own pasta (Taste of Italy Excursion).

Soak in the history by exploring ancient ruins.

Act like a fashonista on Via del Corso, the main street in historical center of Rome lined with brand names and local eateries.

Free Time SuggestionsTrevi Fountain: Rumor has it, if turn your back to the Trevi Fountain and toss a coin over your shoulder, it guarantees you’ll return to the Eternal City. Throw in a second coin, and you’ll not only come back, but also find love. (Significant other not guaranteed by EF Ultimate Break.)Shopping on Vide del Corso: Walk down the longest pedestrian street in the city for some prime shopping. Populated by both locals and tourists, there’s room for everyone on the narrow store-filled street.

A Visit to the Vatican(extra cost)

Visit the Pope’s house: Vatican City. Take a guided tour of the Vatican Museum and St. Peter's Basilica, and get your dose of art history up close and personal—viewing Michelangelo's famed Sistine Chapel frescoes.

Day 21: Travel to Barcelona

Catch your morning flight to Barcelona, a city of endless parties, wacky architecture, and premium beaches (which also happen to be where the clubs are). So throw on your walking shoes, your party pants, and any shirt you’d like. Barcelona is the fiesta that keeps on fiesta…ing.

Today's Highlights:

Travel to Barcelona by plane.

Take an introductory walk of Barcelona with your Tour Director. (Stopping for tapas is not required, but highly encouraged.)

Stroll Las Ramblas, the main pedestrian thoroughfare lined with bars, cafes, shops and street performers (some more impressive than others).

Stop in Plaça de Catalunya, the city center where old meets new, and pigeons fly next to you, above you, and maybe even through your legs.

Day 22: Tour Barcelona

Experience Barcelona’s unique architecture and atmosphere with a local guide as you wander the city’s enchanting streets. This historic city is home to nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites, seven of which were built by Gaudi (he’s kind of a big deal around here). Take in the impressive sites, and understand why Barcelona is the only city to receive a Royal Gold Medal for architecture—the buildings are basically art.

Visit one of Antoni Gaudí’s greatest works of modernist art, Parque Güell. This colorful park is adorned with tilework, dreamlike structures and not a straight line anywhere.

See the 1992 Olympic Park which lines the Mediterranean Sea.

Check out the unfinished Sagrada Familia cathedral, where construction started over 100 years ago by Gaudí

Sagrada Família & Sangria(extra cost)

Antoni Gaudí’s Sagrada Família Basilica is the world’s most unbelievable church—under construction since 1882, finished by 2026 at the earliest. Tour it with a local guide, then enjoy included Sangria and snacks.

Please note: This excursion must be booked at least 30 days prior to tour departure.

Day 23: Free Day in Barcelona + Farewell Dinner

Barcelona is one of the most vibrant cities in Europe, and there’s usually some sort of festival, event, or celebration happening on any given day. Find it. This is your last day to experience as much of it as you can. Even if there’s nothing going on, you’re guaranteed to find something exciting. Whether it’s a restaurant to consume more tapas, a new neighborhood to explore, or a funky building to admire that’s not Gaudí’s design.

Today's Highlights:

Head back to Las Ramblas for food, shopping, and Instagram opportunities aplenty.

Drool before, during, and after eating pan con tomate, or “bread with tomato,” a simple but delicious Catalan snack.

Hit the town (or the beach) for an epic final night out in Barcelona.

Free Time SuggestionsMarket Down: Visit La Boqueria, the famous market just off of Las Ramblas, with everything from fresh fruits to meats, flowers and sweets.Playa Long: Barcelona’s coast is lined with beaches, each with its own personality. Try party-centric Barceloneta, tranquil Caldetes or water sports at Mar Bella.

Farewell Dinner
Share some last laughs (and maybe shed a few tears) at an included farewell dinner with the group.

Day 24: Fly Home

¡Adiós, amigos!
Translation: Goodbye, friends. Your next destination awaits—home. Before you head to the airport, enjoy your last few moments together. Take one more group photo. Grab that final drink. (Fine, maybe a couple of drinks.) But this isn’t goodbye. It’s “See you later.” The only question is, where?

–OR–

EXTEND YOUR TRIP 2 WAYS

1. Double the fun
A lot of our trips line up back to back! Give us a call—we can help you add another and save big while you're at it.

2. Go ahead or stay behind
Extending your trip is easy! During checkout, you'll have the option to fly to (or from) the gateway of your choice for an additional fee. We'll adjust your flights accordingly, but you'll be responsible to take care of your transportation, hotels, and other logistics outside of tour.